Brandon, you're probably going to get a lot of different answers to your question, and for the most part they're all going to be subjective. Mine is no different. I have a 20D and I love it. But then, I've never used a D70, so I can't really give you a comparison. The reasons I chose the 20D? First, it seemed to be the biggest bang for the buck with its 8mpx resolution. Second, I already had a bunch of Canon EF lenses that work well with the 20D. Third, the 20D has the ability to shoot monochrome built in. There is a bit of a learning curve, but once you get past it, the operation is pretty intuitive.

Image quality is excellent. I've attached one of my recent shots as a demo. It required very little work in Photoshop.

As for accessories: The battery grip is a good addition. Not only can you shoot practically forever on one charge, but it adds a nice, substantial feel to the camera.

But don't take my word for any of this. My reasons for buying the 20D were compelling for me, but probably not for you. Go to the camera shop, have a good look at both cameras and then decide.....

I have never owned a D70, but I've heard great things about it. But the real question here is how much you want to spend. There is no question whatsoever that, on a purely technological level, the 20D is more advanced than the D70. It has a higher frame rate, bigger buffer and better performance in low light, beyond its obvious advantage in megapixels (which isn't really that big a deal).
But it's also a couple hundred dollars more.
My philosophy has always been that you're better off spending more money now rather than wishing you had later, so you know where I stand. I would also say that I love my 20D, although I am still getting used to it---it will take some time before I am as intimate with it as I was with my 10D.

Money really isnt an issue. I have been looking around and figured I will probally end up spending $2500-$3000. So its not too bad considering what I am getting. But I enjoy taking all types of pictures so what ever I end up getting I am going to want be high tech and able to grow with me

Here's a couple of reasons to consider Olympus:
1-High tech- automatic sensor cleaning
2-Pixel mapping
These are exclusives to Olympus
3-while other manufacturers said you can use your old lenses on their new digital cameras, Oly designed a complete set of lenses specificaly for digital. Many people went with one or the other BECAUSE they could use their old lenses. Now both Nikon and Canon tout their digital only lenses; a reversal of what they said. Even the third party manus. are into it, now. Perhaps this was a way just to keep market share? (this last staement is one of opion, the others are observable fact).

My wife had a Canon eos film camera, and had a couple of lenses, so she wanted to stay with Canon, so the 20D. I bought an Olympus c8080. I tried to take a picture of our cat in the house one evening. When I pushed the button, I counted to 7 before the shutter tripped. The cat walked thru the lens and around the couch before the picture was taken. I used the Canon and got GREAT pictures in the house, and stopped the action, no blur from the cat walking. I sold the Olympus at a loss of $125, and bought another Canon eos 20D and a couple of f2.8 lenses(the expensive part of the deal). I had used a Nikon F2 film camera for years before going digital, and I would never go back. Besides, its getting hard to find a lab to do custom work, while I can do what I want with digital in my computer. Just my opinions.

Sounds like you might be able to afford the best, and I can assure you it is coming shortly and the news will hit the streets before long. A truly professional digital SLR at a moderate cost.

David, would that be the just-announced EOS 5D? If the price, specs and features are even close to those listed, I think Canon just took a quantum leap ahead of the rest of the pack.

Do you know how the size compares to the 20D?

Tom, all p&s digitals have a shutter delay.

Yes, the word seems to be out of the Canon announcement of their new 5D. This new model fits in between the 20D and the Eos 1Ds Mark II, and is closer to the size and weight of the 20D but with a full-frame 12.8mpx CMOS sensor.

For many like me it is the ideal we have been hoping for, real professional performance at a moderate price.

In fact the 5D info is now on our home page under News. We just posted it this AM.

Suddenly, my 20D and Maxxum 7 gear are flashing trade-in dollar signs at me. But not my Hasselblad, no, never that!